The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-16
Prof. Mayes's Letter Endorsed.
VICTORIA. Miss. Nov. 9TH, 1887.

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VICTORIA, Miss, Nov. 9TH, 1887.
EDITOR CLARION: Observing in recent
NUMBERS of THE CLARION communlca-
lions from several parties, but especially
Senator George and Prof. Edward
Mayes, in regard to University of Mis-
slssippi, its condition at present, what
has been done for it il the past by
legislative appropriations, and the pres
ent status of the fund known as the
Seminary Fund, desire to offer few
comments.
Senator George seems to me to be
rather envious OF the University in his
noble desire to foster and aid other
Institutions by State appropriations. He
seems to forget that the University OF
Mississippi was created because of a
Trust fund in lands donated to the
State by Congress-sald lands In trust
to be for Seminary fund and managed
by the Legislature of Mississippi. thus
the Legislature did enact law found
ing, as we call it, the University OF
Mississippi at Oxford, and has since
made sundry appropriations, called en-
dowments and annual appropriations.
Now if this be trust fund, and for n
specific object, the Legislatures voice
only is to enact laws to guard and foster
this trust for that specific o5ject-edu-
cation in the State. and no other.
As to single institution 10 be located
at particular place, as at oxford, L
incline to the opinion that Congress In
donating the land in trust did not mean
for one school, but it did say a Seminary
Fund to the State, and how to be
managed and who by. 1t is simply a
trust fund, given and received for the
education of children in the State, and
for no other purpose could these lands
be used or their proceeds, either In rents,
sale or otherwise. OF course the Legis-
lature that went banking with capital
not theirs, accepted to make good all
losses, for they held this fund as trustees
only, which, in my view, means only
their fostering care, and a sure and GER
tain way of distributing it to educable
children the State over. Thus | take it,
that auxiliary schools could be located
all over the State, whenever the incomes
from this trust fund justified it, but in
no wise to hamper the parent, the Uni
versity, from the fact it was founded by
the Legislature legally, and large sums
of money spent in buildings, apparatus,
etc. 1t would be equal to going into the
banking business with planters and the
Mississippi banks to throw away these
buildings. If the University can work
up its popularity to have thousand
pupils, let professors be selected ample
to teach them. Every Mississippian
should feel a pride in her University to
have educated there the greatest num-
Der. l have seen no claim set up by
the trustees to collect this debt. All
they want has never exceeded fourth
that is annually its dues on score OF
interest.
Then as the UNIVERSITY of Mississippiis
legalized by law, it certainly becomes
the owner of the Seminary Trust Fund
donated to the State by the Congress OF
the United States. This fund never did
belong to the State, but the moment 1t
was received by officials as named by
Congress, it became an educational en-
dowment fund and no other, whether In
lands or its money value, for the Legis-
latures to control. The lands donated
thus were sold and most of the proceeds
placed as stock in bank, all done, 1t
may be legally, but misguidedly. So it
was, the bank broke and the Seminary
fund in it gone; and Senator George
thinks it the University's loss, while i
think tits the States for not being
good trustee.
| am aware the people are becoming
with endowments and annual
to Colleges and schools
in the State, as perhaps more than can
be borne, not doubling their usefulness.
But as to the University Fund-in other |
words, the owner of this Seminary fund |
the State owes quite sum, estimated
about two million dollars, allowing all
credits heretofore given. dare say the
Trustees of the University would COM
promise at the six per cent. interest to !
be annually paid them on this debt, |
which amounts to $4,000. | admit |
the State Treasury has not been in |
creased by this trust educational fund,
but our sons have been benefited and |
will, hope, continue through time. |
Then we did receive this trust fund |
legally, and if we have not proven good |
trustees, do not claim the State freed |
from the debt due the University and
place it with the A. & NJ. and Girls |
College at Columbus, with annual APP
too heavy to be borne. The
State actually appropriates nothing to |
he University-has never kept the in
crest paid up even. Thus it is clear to
ne that the State has never given out |
If its Treasury a single dollar-Senator
George to the contrary Notwithstanding.
As to Prof. Mayes: he has elucidated
he question fully and his document
;annot be answered, as he presents doc
and figures that places the ques.
ion forever at rest. The Legislature of |
1880 settled the question, and it seems
vas a compromise by the University
ide. So there let it rest, as bargain,
md that legalized. Prof. Mayes has
presented one of the ablest documents
,ver read, and shows him man of
mind, will and energy to seek out the
documents for nearly sixty years and to
o forcibly present them to the reading /
public. Methinks Senator George will
hardly attempt an answer, or any other
,arty, be their zeal ever so good and
vorthy for our female and A. & NJ.
colleges. IF the State can keep up all
Ter public schools with annual endow-
nents or appropriations, It's well, and
or one | shall be happy; but | fear her
A. @ WRITER'S.
: l